July Walk from Elterwater

Our walk this month will be from the heart of the Lakes and is a favourite area for all keen walkers and climbers. The village is only small, but is probably most famous for the Britannia in which dominates the village green and always has customers at the outside tables enjoying the clear lakeland air and views. It is also where the Judy Boyes, an ex Formby artist, has her gallery.
More details and history of Elterwater can be viewed here

The coach will leave the car park at the back of Iceland at 8.00am on

Saturday 11th July 2009

There will be 3 walks;

• A Walk led by Jenny Matthias
  

- approx 10 miles, total ascent 1970 ft

• B Walk led by Beverley Kelly
  

- approx 9 miles, total ascent 1400ft

• C Walk led by Heather Sissons
  

- approx 6 miles

Weather Forecast for Kendal click to view
(nearest weather station)

A Walk (Elterwater)

Leader: Jennifer Matthias
Distance: 10 miles
Total Ascent/Descent: 1970ft


This is a good 'A Walk' in the Lake District. We leave the car park and walk up the road to cross the B5343 continuing upwards to Red Bank. We will follow the ridge as it undulates, up and down reaching about 1600 feet, for over three miles. There are great views, Windermere, Elterwater, Rydal Water, Grasmere, the Eskdale Valley and the hills Fairfield, all the Langdale Fells and some beyond.
Dropping down to Stickle Tarn in the shadow of Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark before our steep descent to the valley floor along Stickle Ghyll. Our return to Elterwater starts along a farm track then a footpath following the river to the car park. At times the path is narrow and rocky and we will have to maintain a good pace to get back in time.

B Walk (Elterwater)

Click on map to enlarge

Leader: Beverley Kelly

Distance: 9 Miles

Total ascent/descent: 1450ft

This is a delightful B walk with plenty of variety as it wends its way through the two Langdale valleys, but it is not a stroll. If you are a B walker then you will manage it with ease as you cope with the climbs and different terrains, enjoying the feast of views before you and will finish the walk tired but satisfied

1. The first climb done and time to admire the views

2. Down Dale End and the mighty Wetherlam comes into view,

then continue down

3. Past Wilson Place to join the Little Langdale Road

4. And to walk past the Three Shires Inn—sorry no time to go in!

5. Continue downhill to cross Slaters Bridge

6. And along the valley with Lingmoor Fell to the right.

A difficult section ahead of us.

7. Blea Tarn may be our lunch stop,

but I suspect we will be hungry before here!

Highest point ahead at 780ft

8. Steep Descent towards Great Langdale,

the Langdale Pikes and the Old Dungeon Ghyll

9. Relative easy walk back along the Cumbria way

with the A Party ridge alongside us

Back in Elterwater Village

C Walk (Elterwater)

Click on map to enlarge

Leader: Heather Sissons
Distance: 6 miles approx
Total ascent/descent:1180ft

After coffee at the Britannia Inn, we walk across the common, up through the grounds of High Close YH and along Loughrigg Terrace to view Grasmere and Rydal waters. We then retrace our steps along the path and follow the road down to the picturesque Loughrigg Tarn. Dropping down to Skelwith Bridge we walk alongside the Falls and then alongside Elterwater with the magnificent views of the Langdales, before returning to Elterwater village and more refreshment.
A pleasant walk along well defined paths and roads, taking in 4 waters a waterfall and much more.

June Walk from Grassington

Grassington is a village in Wharfedale, North Yorkshire, England. The village is around 9 miles (14 km) from Bolton Abbey and is surrounded by beautiful limestone scenery. Nearby villages include Linton, Threshfield, Hebden, Conistone and Kilnsey.

Although often described by local people as a village, Grassington was granted a Royal Charter for a market and fair in 1282 giving it market town status. The market was held regularly until about 1860. A change in land use from the early 17th century, when lead mining began to assume more importance, brought some prosperity, but Grassington's heyday arrived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The opening of the Yorkshire Dales Railway to Threshfield in 1901 brought new visitors, many of whom settled, some finding work in Skipton or in the developing limestone quarries.

Today Grassington is the main residential and tourist centre in Upper Wharfedale. Centred around its small cobbled square is a selection of shops offering food, clothing and gifts, alongside small cafes, restaurants and hotels.

The walking in this area can be spectacular and easy to walk in with gentle climbs, wide open spaces and sheltered valleys. Do join us for a wonderful day walking amongst like friendly minded people.

Up to date weather forecast for Settle

click on 'Settle' above

Walks in Grassington June 13th

Click on map (and any picture) to enlarge.

pictures to follow

A Walk;
Leader: Beverley Kelly
Distance: 9.5 miles
Total ascent: 1072 ft

This is a walk with variety rather than height, as we walk out of the village past the methodist church, we are soon gently ascending towards Bare House. We need to stop regularly to view the panarama unfolding around us and as we proceed towards Kelber, we are able to observe a mass of wild life and vegitation.

From Kelber, it is a steady descent through limestone escarpments and dramatic landscapes towards Conistone where we view a picturesque village and ancient church.

A walk along the a quiet road for just over a mile with views over Wharfedale, before we descend to the river which we walk alongside, passing Ghaistrill's Strid and back to Grassington.

This is a B+ walk and I will not be racing, but we will need to make a good pace to avoid rushing at the end.

Click here to view pictures taken on the reccie

B Walk;
Leader: George Mann
Distance: 7.5 miles
Total ascent: 970 ft

Todays walk takes us up the main street of Grassington and continuing up Moor Lane till we reach Yarnbury. From there we branch off through the old Lead Mining Workings before joining a track beside Hebden Beck.

Crossing the Beck we climb up on to Mossy Moor, past a small reservoir, then making our way along Edge Top join a farm track and gradually come down to meet the B 6265. We have to walk along this ( Single File facing the traffic) for two hundred yards to a stile into the field. We cross another three fields from there as we make our way down to join the Dales Way footpath alongside the River Wharfe. This leads us back to the coach park at Grassington.

There are about half a dozen stiles in the course of the walk and generally underfoot conditions good with some tarmac and farm roads. If granted a clear day we have wonderful views of the Wharfe Valley.

C Walk;
Leader: John Smith
Distance: 5.5 miles
Total ascent: 670ft

The walk today is some 5.5 miles and over many stiles which are mostly easy to navigate. I hope the weather will be kind as the views are really terrific across the valley.

After our traditional coffee start at Cobblestones, we will start uphill (not steep !!) through the village and turn off onto a track, High Lane. The route moves off left to climb gently to Edge Lane giving superb views. It continues through fields to Bottom Hole and then turns right to follow Hebden Beck down to Hebden where we will stop for lunch. There is a toilet in the café which is for public use. The descent is now more marked down to the river Wharfe, during which we will pass a salmon breeding farm and may be able to see some of it and talk to the owner who was most informative when we did the recce.

At the river, we turn right to walk alongside the Wharfe for 2 miles with just a small, gentle upward slope to regain the coach and toilets.